Question

Arrange the following rulers in chronological order and choose the correct option :
I. Kanishka
II. Mahapadma Nanda
III. Samudragupta
IV. Chandragupta Maurya

• A. I, III, IV, II
• B. II, IV, I, III
• C. III, I, II, IV
• D. IV, II, III, I

Hint:

Mnemonic: "Nanda Met Kushan Gupta" (Nanda \(\rightarrow\) Maurya \(\rightarrow\) Kushan \(\rightarrow\) Gupta). Remember that Nanda was before Maurya, and Gupta was the latest in this list.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept:

• Historical chronology in ancient India follows the sequence of major dynasties: Nanda \(\rightarrow\) Maurya \(\rightarrow\) Post-Mauryan (Kushans) \(\rightarrow\) Gupta.
• Identifying the time period of each prominent ruler is key to arranging them in order of their reign.

Step 1: Identifying the earliest ruler
Mahapadma Nanda (II) was the founder of the Nanda Dynasty in Magadha during the 4th century BCE.
He is often described as the first great empire-builder of India, predating the Mauryas.

Step 2: Tracing the Mauryan succession
Chandragupta Maurya (IV) overthrew the last Nanda king with the help of Chanakya in approximately 321 BCE.
His reign marked the beginning of the Mauryan Empire, which unified most of the Indian subcontinent.

Step 3: Moving into the Common Era
Kanishka (I) was the greatest ruler of the Kushan Dynasty.
His reign is usually dated to the 1st or 2nd century CE (specifically starting around 78 CE, the beginning of the Shaka Era).
This place him several centuries after the Mauryas.

Step 4: Identifying the classical period ruler
Samudragupta (III) was a powerful ruler of the Gupta Dynasty, reigning in the mid-4th century CE (c. 335–375 CE).
The Guptas rose to power long after the decline of the Kushans.
Therefore, the correct chronological order is II \(\rightarrow\) IV \(\rightarrow\) I \(\rightarrow\) III.